PUPILS have joined forces with one of the country's top comic poets to create a song about their home town.

Youngsters at Thornaby Village Primary School have collaborated with John Hegley, a regular on BBC radio, to write the song as part of the Northern Children's Book Festival.

Over the last two weeks, the festival has seen some of the country’s leading authors, poets, performers and illustrators visit schools and libraries throughout Teesside and the North East.

Mr Hegley said: “The children were very enthusiastic and the staff were as well. The children had some great ideas.”

Teacher Jade Miere said: “We’ve just been doing poetry and for somebody like John to come in and work with the pupils will inspire them. I was really pleased to see all of them getting involved, everybody putting their hand up. They really enjoyed it.”

The Thornaby Song – composed by John Hegley/pupils of The Village Primary School:

I wanna be in Thornaby

The shops are top

I wanna be in Thornaby

The parks don't stop

I wanna be in Thornaby

The VP School

I wanna be in Thornaby

The Thornaby pool

I wanna be in Thornaby

My home's here

I wanna be in Thornaby

Mama Mia!